Hattiesburg veterans observe POW/MIA Recognition Day

The American flag flies at half staff during an observance of National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -

Nearly two dozen veterans and other Hub City residents gathered at Hattiesburg Veterans Park Friday morning to remember soldiers over the last 70 years who were prisoners of war or were missing in action.

The veterans posted a POW/MIA flag and other service flags during an observance of National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

Members of Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion chapters offered prayers for the estimated 83,000 servicemen who were either prisoners of war or are still listed as missing in action from World War II to the present.

"If we ever forget this, we're forgetting the sacrifices that we have all made for our country and some that have made the ultimate sacrifice and as veterans and veterans organizations, we can't do that," said Ted Tibbett, commander of V.F.W. Post 3036 in Hattiesburg.

"A lot of us know some of them that were killed or were POW or still missing in action," said Robert (Bo) Tims, chaplain for V.F.W. Post 3036. "It's very important for us to remember these (service members)," he said.

"I think of the families that are back here and have not had closure yet on what has happened to their loved one," said Clif Evans, chaplain for the American Legion Post 24 in Hattiesburg. "These are the ones that I think about when I think about days like today," he said.

The American flag at the park was also lowered to half staff in honor of those killed in the shooting rampage at the Washington, D.C. Naval Yard.